Chapter 158 - The Truth Dyed in Red (Part III) (Patreon)

Leaving the Feathered Serpent Castle through the front gates, Lucian found himself with more questions than answers. Part of him had wanted to ask about Grandmaster Miao's whereabouts, but his rational side had told him to leave as soon as possible and consider his survival a priority.

This wasn't cowardice or a lack of boldness. It was a calculated risk he deemed not worth taking. Fighting a Core Formation expert would be stupid enough, but another aspect of the City Lord left Lucian very concerned.

Kun Fei Xing, he thought, glancing at the castle walls with narrowed eyes. You triggered the Seven Curses.

Throughout his life, Lucian could count on both hands the number of people capable of triggering all Seven Curses at once, provoking a reaction from them as though they had sensed a small tiger trying to climb their mountain.

No matter how insignificant that tiger was, the Seven Curses would roar and drive the lesser beast away.

One must know that, for the Seven Curses, most people were beneath insects, and no matter how powerful their techniques, mutations, or magical abilities were, they provoked no reaction at all. In fact, Lucian himself couldn't provoke their reaction without using some tricks.

It's just as I had guessed, he thought, his eyes shining crimson as he quickened his pace. Cultivation is the answer to the Seven Curses!

Rushing back to the Broken Maze, Lucian dismissed his other concerns. He focused on the present. He didn't care about almost being murdered or plotted against. That could be handled later. For now, there were benefits to collect!

There's still blood to consume, he thought. And I need to see if I can accelerate my inverted cultivation once again.

He hadn't forgotten how the yellow dust had allowed him to open his fourth chakra point in mere minutes. Such speed was equal to Wang Chen's help to his natural cultivation!

I'll demand that Grandmaster Miao give me some of that dust as compensation. He decided as he approached the Broken Maze. Studying that substance could be extremely valuable!

Near the district's shattered buildings, Lucian encountered someone he hadn't expected, causing him to halt and narrow his eyes.

Standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the ruined battlefield with clear and bright eyes, Zhi Jian spoke without turning around.

"You're always hiding from the sun," he chuckled. "I'd advise you to avoid the Endless Desert. They use glass artifacts infused with sunlight. You will need the secret tunnels if you want to travel there."

Clicking his tongue, Lucian approached Zhi Jian and said coldly, "Tell me what you want."

Humming softly, Zhi Jian watched the people moving through the ruins, carrying away shrouded bodies and salvaged furniture as they cleaned the area before the authorities officially began rebuilding.

A moment later, he looked at Lucian and smiled.

"He called me selfish, childish, and shameless. Just because I refused to become a pawn in those Ancestors' schemes."

Lucian stared back at him, sensing something hidden behind those eyes. He glanced at the moving people and said, "You look like a man who made a terrible decision and knows it."

Smirking, Zhi Jian nodded heavily. "Yes. Yes."

Lucian didn't want to walk into the ruins and drain blood from the corpses while such a powerful and dangerous cultivator stood nearby, so he said, "I hope Wang Chen is safe."

"He is," Zhi Jian nodded. "As is that girlfriend of his."

Goosebumps spread across Lucian's skin as he glanced sideways at the sword cultivator.

He knows the truth. He knows why I went down there. He knows about Bai Xiaomeng!

They stood side by side, in silence. One man had sincere, clear eyes, watching the people with genuine interest. The other was clad in black robes, his gaze cold and devoid of warmth.

Lucian was about to continue the conversation when Zhi Jian spoke again.

"I know Xu Hua is dead—"

Mobilizing his Blood Essence, Lucian was about to flee when Zhi Jian turned to look at him once more. Suppressing his energy, Lucian met the gaze, noticing something in there beyond the will to fight.

They are... bright, he thought. He had only seen eyes shine like that in people filled with hope.

"I don't know who you are, and I don't really care," Zhi Jian continued, placing a hand on Lucian's shoulder and squeezing it. "But believe me when I say this... I am not your enemy."

Feeling the slight tremble in the hand resting on his shoulder, Lucian remained still, calmly returning his gaze. If anything happened, he was ready to use the Rune of Sloth, sacrifice two bats as a distraction, and activate the Curse of Wrath as far from the City Lord as he could.

Taking Lucian's silence as permission to continue, Zhi Jian said,

"Your friend, that plump fellow Wang Chen, has absolutely no talent for the sword. He'll be back at the warehouse soon. Truly, it looks like someone took away his ability to wield even a knife. Oh, I know this because Qi Zhi told me so. And I checked briefly. Truly horrendous."

Lucian wanted to press him for more information beyond the obvious joke, but Zhi Jian's eyes seemed to lose a little of their innocence as they narrowed slightly, prompting Lucian to remain silent.

"However, that woman... Bai Xiaomeng, right? She's a freak," Zhi Jian said with a wide smile, filled with battle intent. "In just a few days, she's improved so much that I'm eager to spar with her."

Lucian was alarmed, as his eyes widened at the revelation.

"That can't be. She's just a servant from a small merchant clan, and she isn't even a cultivator."

Shaking his head, Zhi Jian looked at Lucian with a mocking gaze.

"And who said Sword Qi can only be nurtured by cultivators? The more one suffers, the harsher life, the easier it is to sharpen their edge. "

Grabbing Zhi Jian's wrist, Lucian lowered his voice. "You can't be telling me you're keeping her there. I need that woman."

Lucian would never abandon Bai Xiaomeng, because Wang Chen would never forget her! And the more he witnessed how powerful and versatile cultivators were, the more determined he became to keep Wang Chen close. If Wang Chen died, Lucian would keep his corpse, no doubt.

Surprised by Lucian's iron grip, Zhi Jian chuckled, maintaining eye contact, and said, "My hands are tied. I need to nurture her into a Sword Master. She was already accepted as a disciple."

Then he paused and gave Lucian a peculiar smile.

"Of course, if an Ancestor demanded her after the graduation, I would have no choice but to permit it."

Letting go of Zhi Jian's wrist, Lucian stepped back and stared at him.

I see, he thought, nodding inwardly. Because Xu Hua is dead, he knows there's something suspicious about me. What does he want?

"I believe a person should always struggle," Zhi Jian said, interrupting Lucian's thoughts. "The moment you stop struggling, you'll die, one way or another."

Lucian nodded as he watched the sword cultivator glance at the crowd in the ruined district.

"Help me save her, and I'll help you with your struggle," he said.

He wasn't a fool. Someone as powerful and busy as Zhi Jian wouldn't wait here to offer information without wanting something in return.

As expected, Zhi Jian's smile brightened after hearing Lucian's words.

"I want to ask the Resonant Sea Ancestor a question. I know you're connected to her. If you can make that happen, I'll let Bai Xiaomeng go. In fact, I'll give her to you!"

Cocking an eyebrow, Lucian silently questioned him, glancing toward the Feathered Serpent Castle. They may make whatever plans they wanted, but they had to check with the one up there!

With a mysterious smile, Zhi Jian said, "The moment an Ancestor becomes involved, every cultivator turns blind, deaf, and stupid."

Meaning not even the City Lord would dare interfere, Lucian thought.

"We can try," Lucian said, formulating a plan. "However, you need to help me with something first."

"What is it?" Zhi Jian asked, his gaze once again as innocent as ever.

"Help me make Wang Chen grow through suffering," Lucian answered, his eyes filled with evil intent.

He would force Wang Chen to grow and cultivate as much as possible. Lucian was certain that, with cultivation, he would be able to access his own soul and have a proper conversation with the Resonant Sea Ancestor, helping Zhi Jian with whatever was necessary.

The only thing he didn't know yet was the Resonant Sea Ancestor's current condition, but in his mind, that wasn’t important. To Lucian, she should be lost, swimming in old memories, trapped in darkness and solitude.

He couldn't be more wrong, of course.